Students’ Hub: 8 Reasons College Is All About Second Chances

Hello, hello, hello fellow readers and students! Welcome to this week’s article of College Life. It’s a very special article indeed because well, it’s the first ever that I write addressing you!

An introduction is in order. I’m Alaa, a student undergoing post graduate studies – Yes; I consciously and knowingly chose to continue my agony and torture. Anyway, I’m here to talk to you on a weekly basis about college life.

A lot of us, especially in a conservative society where Excellency is a must, think of college life as stress and hard work, subjects that we’ll later forget after blurting them out on paper during impossible examinations, constant trials and errors to please our folks, assignments, presentations, papers, exams and, some more constant trials and errors to please our folks.

In a conservative society like ours, education is as conservative and outdated as it could get (excuse me if I’m generalizing but in most cases, it is). Our approach is conservative and outdated. We don’t educate ourselves, we just learn. Our parents think that the only way to a successful life is through high grades. Well, ladies and gents, that is somewhat true but not the best way of having your path to your dream life created before you.

The most important thing about college life is to not let anyone tell you what to do, who to become or what to say; and to not let the traditional definition of a college life take hold of you. So based on my experience and what I’ve seen throughout my undergraduate college life (and still within my graduate journey), I’ll try as hard as possible to review my experiences to you, hoping to be a source of support, inspiration and guidance on your path.

And while we’re talking about our outdated education system and parents, let’s talk about the reasons I believe college is all about second chances!

How come? Basically, it’s square one all over again. It’s that phase in your life where you can shed the old high school skin and clothe yourself in a new one. It’s that phase in your life where –assuming you’ve already decided what you want to do with your life- you’re pursuing your dreams and ambitions. College life is a second chance because now you can truly become the person you’ve always wanted to be. Still need more reasons to believe it? I have 8 more!

1. You can choose a field you’re interested in

During high school, everything was mandatory. You had to learn everything whether it was math, sciences, literature, gymnastics…etc. In college, YOU get to choose what YOU want to educate yourself about.

2. You will get to meet new people, from so many different back grounds

Usually in high schools –especially in our society, you get to mingle around with people your own social standard, mentality, views…etc. In college, that’s not the way it usually goes! You’ll get to see other people with different mentalities and views. You’ll find yourself interacting with a lot of different backgrounds from the rich to the poor, from the open minded to the firm and strong headed. Be ready to color yourself and adapt!

3. You can become whoever you want to be

Clicks and social groups are usually the norm around high school and they somehow define who you are. It’s not the case in college anymore. You could be a jock but still get easily around your studies. You could be the most popular student around campus but hang out with the less popular. You could be anyone you want to be without being defined by the group you hang out with.

5. You won’t be categorized (at least not as often)

Unfortunately in our society, being judged and categorized is as natural as it comes. But don’t mind that. It rarely does in college but if it occurs, remember points 3 and 4. “YOU” is what makes YOU click.

6. Some professors and tutors are more helpful than you think

The tough and mean image of teachers we have in our minds since high school is weakened when you get to college. Some teachers are so devoted to your education that you actually feel like they’re second parents to you. They will help you in whatever it is you need helping in…even if it revolves around personal issues.

8. You can engage in so many different activities

What’s great about college is that you have all sorts of activities to engage in: running for a student union position, volunteering in NGOs…etc. It’s basically a wide field of “doing something on the side” of your activities. And who knows? You might make a difference.

Until next time, this is Ambidexter… your guide onto your path!

Your thoughts matter!

I hope you all enjoyed reading this piece of article and in the spirit of creating a space that is for you and by you; I encourage you all to leave a comment with your thoughts and what you want to read about next or send us an email on contact.us@cairocontra.com